EU extends sanctions against Russia for recognizing "independence" of occupied territories 

This is stated in the European Council decision published in the Official Journal of the EU on February 21.

"The Union remains unwavering in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and dedicated to the full implementation of the non-recognition policy in respect of Russia’s illegal annexation," the message reads.

They note that the Union does not recognise and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law. 

The decision will enter into force on February 22, 2023. It also refers to the sanctions that were introduced on February 23, 2022 "in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine". In October 2022, these sanctions were expanded in response to Russia's recognition of the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Putin's signing of decrees "on the recognition of Kherson and Zaporizhia regions as independent territories."

• On February 23, G7 finance ministers will meet to discuss new sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.